Großes Moor, Nature reserve in Gifhorn, Germany
The Großes Moor near Gifhorn is a nature reserve spanning over 2700 hectares with peat bogs, heathlands, forests, lakes, and transitional moors. The area is crisscrossed by bicycle paths and walking trails that allow visitors to explore the different habitats.
The moor shaped the landscape for centuries, but underwent major changes over the last 200 years due to peat extraction and farming activities. Its designation as a protected area in 1984 marked a turning point toward preserving this special landscape.
The reserve's name reflects its size and regional significance, and visitors can watch grazing sheep and horses that shape the landscape through natural management. These animals are part of a system designed to keep the environment in balance, and they are often visible while walking through.
Visitors can explore on foot or by bicycle and should wear sturdy shoes since the ground is boggy and wet in places. Information signs along the trails explain the natural features and help with navigation.
The area is maintained by grazing animals like moorland sheep and Konik horses, which function as living lawnmowers controlling unwanted plant growth. This natural management system is visible and shows how nature and people can work together.
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